The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1887-04-16
GENERAL PHILIP SHERIDAN.
The Circumstances Surrounding His Ap-
pointment as Cadet.

pO1uIulSNu
It is a well-known fact that Gen.
Sheridan's s parents were people of very
humble circumstance 8, and that his
father had hard struggle to support and
educate his large family. And it was
necessary for the boys early in life to
seek employment in order that they
might support themselves and assist
their father as much as possible. They
were all unusually bright and indus
trious, and were not only willing but
anxious to do all they could.
AT the time of which we write the
Lancaster (Ohio) Congressional Dis
trict, in which old Mr.. Sheridan and his
family resided, was represented by a
Democrat. This member was entitled
TO the appointment of a cadet at the
West Point Military Academy, as were
all other members, under the law. Be
fore he had maze a selection, however,
two Of his constituents, both friends of
his, very wealthy, concluded that they
would like to have their sons receive
the appointment, and accordingly each
started out among his friends in the dis
trict to obtain recommendations to the
member of Congress for the appoint
ment of his son. The men were both
we'll liked, and, as a consequence,
through their determined efforts, almost
all of the people in the district had taken
sides, and the Congressman was pressed
upon all sides to appoint one or the
ether. He was in dilemma to appoint
either would bring the enmity of the
other and all his friends. He concluded
he would advise with Thomas Ewing,
one of Ohio's greatest men, who was
then a senator and resided in the town
Of Lancaster. Accordingly he went to
the senator's house and explained the
situation to him.
After thinking the matter over for a
moment, the senator said: ''lf were in
your place would not appoint either of
these boys. I would select some poor
mans son and send him each OF these
men and his friends would be glad
that you did not appoint the others
son, and the whole people of the dis
trict would applaud you for sending a
poor boy.' ''ThaJ's capital idea,'' re-
marked the now delighted member, as
he saw way out Of the difficulty; "but
where is there boy that / can send -
just then old Mr.. Sheridan, who was
employed by Senator Ewing, walked
into the dining-room. where the two
were sitting, with some stove-wood in
his arms. ''There, said the senator, lis
Mr.. Sheridan; be has some bright boys
and you couldn't do better than to send
one Of them.' In the meantime Sheri-
dan, had deposited his wood in the box
behind the stove and was going out of
the room. Sheridan, said the Sena-
tor, chow would you like to have one of
your boys go to West Point?'' 81 don't
know, sir" replied Sheridan: II never
thought of that, and you know better
about it than I do. L would leave it all
to you, sir.'' 'sWell,'' said the Senator,
eff either was to be sent, which would
you prefer to have go?'' 81 don't know
about that either, sir. If it's for books
you want him, you had better send
Mike; but if it's for fighting you want
him, you had better send Phil" And
Sheridan went his way. ''There,'' said
the Senator to the Congressman,
(: there's your chance. It's for fighting
you want,him, now send Phil Sheridan" :"
And he did.